The form of intellectual property that gives the author of an original work exclusive right for a certain time period in relation to that work is called copyright http://www.nflteam49ersshop.com/Youth-Reuben-Foster-Elite-Jersey/ , this includes its publication, distribution and derivatives, after which time the work is said to enter the public domain. Any expressible form of an idea or information that is substantive and discrete and fixed in a medium can be applied to Copyright protection in US. Some rules also recognize "ethical rights" of the creator of a work, such as the right to get profit for the work. Copyright is a member under the umbrella term intellectual property along with patents and trademarks.

A copyright owner can take action to protect his copyright whether or not he has registered that copyright with the US Copyright office. The government wants people to register their copyrights http://www.nflteam49ersshop.com/Youth-Ray-Ray-Armstrong-Elite-Jersey/ , however. In order to encourage registration, IP Legal Services provided registered copyright owners with an added benefit. Section 504 of the U.S. Copyright Act gives registered copyright owners a damages option when they sue for infringement - they can sue for actual damages or opt for "statutory damages" instead. (Unregistered copyright owners can only sue for actual damages). Statutory damages can range $200 to $150,000, depending on various factors http://www.nflteam49ersshop.com/Youth-Pierre-Garcon-Elite-Jersey/ , particularly whether the infringement was will full or unintentional.